How long should I wait?

just buy another 550 and loan it to your friends, the 612 is UGLY IMO.

Never let your friends drive less than 12 cylinders.

 

i agree with that statement but to be a proper ferrari the have to be behind you not in front????????? so the last proper ferrari was f50 f512m

 

If you don't want a 456, would you want an "old" 612?

Besides; doesn't California have that "ten day waiting period"?

steve f: 250TR60, 250GTO, Daytona? Ferrari has done rather well with 12 in front. The 550 is a return to the Daytona formula: 12 in front, 5 (plus reverse) in back, two seats in the middle.

 

If they really are going to limit the numbers coming to the USA, then I would say it will be 2-3 years before they really fall "like keys from a lear jet".

 

The only limit imposed will be the same for all the other 4 seaters. It will be limited to the number they can sell. 4 Seat Ferrari's have never sold well and the U.S. has always been the biggest market for them. the sale of them has been used as an incentive for the dealers to get more popular units like 360 spyders. My guess on a time frame would be about 5 years.

 

He didn't ask your opinion. He likes the 612. He says he likes the 612. Your comment contributes nothing to this thread.

Bart -
If the MSRP end up around $250K, I'd be willing to bet that after 6 months, you'd see them around $225K. But, these cars are going to be quite rare, so we'll have to wait and see what demand is like.
Can anyone comment on the depreciation of the 456 after it first came out? Of course, almost a decade later, they were selling for far less than MSRP, but what were used 1995s selling for in 1996? That might give you a good guideline.

 

I think you'll just have to wait and see. That's probably what you'll end up doing anyways.....

 

i don't think they'll fall that quickly. dealers have orders lined up. i don't know what kind of backlog, but it surely isn't zero. if by "waiting" you mean "waiting until summer 2006, then i agree. but i wouldn't expect 2002 level 456 plummets off the lot - it'll still be a "fresh" new car - not "stale" like the 456 was a decade into production.

my two farthings.

life is short. you might have a massive coronary tomorrow and buy the farm. smoke 'em while ya got 'em.

doody.

 

By a Maserati Quartoporte (sp?) ... a Ferrari with 4 REAL seats and doors so your mate's wife/girl friend can make an elegant entry/exit.

If you need 4 seats, IMO you need 4 doors ...

Pete

 

The 612 may not look as nice as the 575 but it drives better, judging from the test reports so far. If you want a practical Ferrari, this is it. I've sat at the back and it's spacious enough for 2 adults.

 

Agreed. The Q-ship is gorgeous! Also less than half price i think??
Yet same logic here too, wait a year and pick one up cheap ala the coupe and spider.

 

The 612 looks good in real life. Much better than in pictures. You should not be disappointed. I don't think demand will fall when the car comes out on the streets. IMO, the Q looks bland in comparison. Almost ... dare I say ... Korean looking. Huge disapointment.
IMO, within 6 months of delivery, the cars will have taken a serious hit. Or, if you're really patient, wait 5-6 years until the new 4 seater is presented. 456s go for what? 70 grands and up!

steve ... the horses are in front of the carriage, not behind.

Oh, and I second the "smoke em while you got em".

 

I find it interesting how a thread on Question X somehow always ends with unrelated, and often meaningless commentary, concerning Responses A, B and C.

The question posed was "how long," not "which one"? My thoughts on the question posed is anybody's guess given the multitude of factors that affect Ferrari pricing (including, but not limited to, the overall economy, news on subsequent models, owner opinions, the waxing or waning of the existing waiting list, exchange rates, and many, many other factors), but what we do know is that currently, the waiting list for a 612 is at least 18 months long. It seems logical, therefore, to assume that prices will continue to remain high for the foreseable future. From what I understand, the car is a technological tour de force as well, so I assume member satisfaction will also remain relatively high, affecting demand and resale value.

 

I would wait forever. You'll save a lot of $$ dough that way.

 

Speaking of Korean looks, it's amazing how much one of the Hyundai models resembles the 612. Right down to the scallops!

As far as 612 resale values, I think the keys will depart the Learjet 12 months after the introduction. (WAG)

 

Hey Bart,

You know I'm not a fan of the current styling of Ferrari, but that isn't your question. You should wait at least three years. You never want to buy the first production year of any model. The most important reason is that they are brand new and the bugs haven't been worked out yet. The other reason is that because it is the "NEW" model, more people will want to be the first to have it. So you will be paying a premium just to be one of the first to own one. Also they may make some improvement to the later cars that would make those a better choice. Look at what happend with the 360 and the Stradale. The later is what the former should have been from the get go. So I say wait three years, then revisit the thought. Besides, DO NOT get rid of the 550, it will go down as one of the greats.

 

Waiting lists are created by potential owners putting their name down before they actually build the car. The real proof of how successful a design/model is, is their resale value and position in the 2nd hand market. New Ferrari's always cause excitement ... even the 2+2 models.

We must remember that when the 456 was introduced the magazines said all the same stuff they are saying now about the 612 ... ie, the best damn 2+2 ever built, etc. ... and the 456 when introduced was a technological tour de force too, as are all new Ferraris.

Thus I can see no reason why the 612 will perform any better than any previous 2+2 Ferrari ... ie. the resale value and position in the 2nd hand market will be REAL low and if you wait a couple of years you will be able to find unbelievable bargains. In fact I believe just like the 456 now, that you will be able to buy BRAND new 612's in 5 years time that have never found owners and have desperate sales people offering their daughters if you take the car off their yard.

The only advantages the 612 has over the 456 are:
1. new kid on the block.
2. theoretically better balance.

The reality is that it looks worse than the latest Hyundai Coupe and unless you are MS you will not notice this improved balance and the 456 has 2+2 handling far in advance of 99% of drivers that were ever going to own one ...

Personally I'd take the 'I'm not buying the latest whatever from Ferrari' hit to the ego and grab a mint (if not brand new) 456 6 speed, if you must have a Ferrari 4 seater that is not a vintage model ... and thus Bart would not have to wait at all to be able to impress his friends. BUT if you are really clever though, I would (as I have already suggested) buy the Maser 4 seater and adding to that earlier suggestion ... with the rest of the money buy a 365BB or Daytona or even an early 911 2.7 Carrera Porsche and have the best of both worlds.

Pete
Just wishing he had the cash to steal a 456 from a dealer somewhere

 

We're on the same page Pete. North of two years is exactly the time frame I was suggesting. And I also agree that once they drop, they'll fall hard.

 

My guess is you will have to wait 2 years or so for the demand to settle and the values to drop a bit accordingly.

 

The highest ratio of depreciation occurs in the first two years. Start looking in 18 months if you can't stand waiting any longer.

 

its funny we can't even tell when exactly these cars will be here and now we are trying to predict when they will fall in value Bart, you will do better in Vegas - which I know you do

 

Bart, I agree with Erik. Last I heard, Ferrari will be bringing in only 200 to 250 cars to the US. For what I have heard, the first year allocation is fully sold. Indeed, I think that over 100 are head for the LA area alone. Some of these cars will fall out of bed and will be available for street buyers, but not many.

But, yes, over time, the 612 will depreciate just like the 456, the 550, and the 575. My guess as to how much it will depreciate is no better than yours, but I'd say that a 30% to 40% depreciation rate in 3 to 4 years is probably realistic. I don't think that you'll see people making money on 612s like you have with 360 Spiders.

The good news is that I have been told that the 612 is one of the best crusing rock 'n roll machines ever built. Everybody who has really driven one says that it is a rocket ship on rails. It is worth 2.5 QPs? Depends, that's your call.

So if you want one and can afford it, get it. If you do, the good news is that you might as well drive it because its going to depreciate whether you do or not. The even better news is that this car might bring you some the cheapest smiles per mile than any other car you might buy.

I say buy it and drive it.

Dr "Can I Have a Ride if You Buy It" Tax

 

if you wait long enough, you can pick one up real cheap in heaven....or a chevy vega in hell!!!!

 

i second that!!!